Cenotaph unveiled for wartime sex slaves on Okinawa's Miyako Island

Monday 08th September, 05:37 AM JST

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14 Comments

rjd_jr at 07:23 AM JST - 8th September

A great gesture. Need I repeat myself?
USNinJapan2 at 08:21 AM JST - 8th September

Too bad it's about as far off the beaten path as you can get...
Pukey2 at 09:12 AM JST - 8th September

rjd:

A great gesture. Need I repeat myself?

When I saw the title, I just KNEW you'd be the first poster. Yes, a great gesture, but as usual, your post is spoilt by the snide remark, intended to provoke others.

Yes indeed, off the beaten track.
Pukey2 at 09:16 AM JST - 8th September

Might I add, not so surprising since the Okinawans, of all people in Japan, know what it's like to be treated like nothing.
soldave at 09:28 AM JST - 8th September

rjd - you usually do so I assume you feel it's needed.

Good gesture though - can see the Japanese government being non-plussed though.
tkoind2 at 09:32 AM JST - 8th September

Every little step to expose the truth and remember those who suffered is welcome. Well done.
serindipity at 10:17 AM JST - 8th September

Every little step to expose the truth and remember those who suffered is welcome. Well done.

Yeah, now if they would only include these little details into the high school history textbooks instead of the BS about being victims of an atomic bomb it would have real meaning.
OssanULTRA at 10:44 AM JST - 8th September

"Yeah, now if they would only include these little details into the high school history textbooks instead of the BS about being victims of an atomic bomb it would have real meaning."

Agree that Japansee textbboks should contain far more of Imperial Japan's wrongful actions prior to and during WWII. Disagree that that being the victim of A-bombs is BS. In fact the entire world disagrees with you.
fatloser at 12:04 PM JST - 8th September

It belongs next to the Hiroshima dome.
YaraChobyo68 at 04:16 PM JST - 8th September

Well, this is the primary problem with the Japanese society/culture that tolerates and silences distortion and violence! For many years, many Okinawan women suffered from physical pain, illness, psychological trauma, shame and guilt...
FYI, the problem with sex industry and violence did not stop after WWII. In plight of the Vietnam War, Okinawan women became victim of this oppression by the US military personnel. Local officials near the "base community" in the late 60's and early 70's reported number of rape cases. Consequently, brothels were created and many of them involved in the sex industry, were victims of rape, or suffered from the contempt and shame associated with "their past"...
Therefore, sexual exploitation of local women by foreign soldiers created a living condition associated with militarism - i.e. Olongago City, near Subic naval base in the Philippines and South Korea.
In this sense, Japanese soldiers, "yamato" left Okinawans with similar problems related to the military, the sex industry and violence post WWII (aka colonialism and neocolonialism).
USNinJapan2 at 04:48 PM JST - 8th September

fatloser

It belongs next to the Hiroshima dome.

...and next to that ridiculous 'peace' statue of the naked guy in Nagasaki.
usaexpat at 11:39 PM JST - 8th September

A good gesture, off the beaten path maybe but wasn't it erected on Miyako Island becasue that's where the sex slavery occured that the monument recognizes? Anyway, good no matter the reason for its placement.
USARonin at 11:44 PM JST - 8th September

I don't think the Koreans should press it.

They also had a big hand in sellin' their own girls and womenfolk into sexual slavery back then.

The Japanese also recruited for sex partners for their military and, sadly, many Koreans answered the call, mostly out of poverty.

Another question... How come the Korean people - now a first-world country for many years - ain't takin' care of their own? Obscene.

I'd embarrass them on the world stage in a heartbeat given the opportunity.

USAR
JohnBecker at 01:12 AM JST - 9th September

There should be a few instances of this particular cenotaph. Maybe they could locate one outside the gates of Kadena Air Force Base and another outside the naval base at Yokosuka. Stick another in Kabukicho or Roppongi for good measure.